Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Wyndham Vale, accounting for 54.5% (11,189 people). This share was higher than Wyndham (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,692 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wyndham Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Wyndham Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wyndham (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wyndham Vale, with comparison markers for Wyndham (C).
English
Not stated
Punjabi
Karen
Hindi
Telugu
Urdu
Tamil
Bengali
Mandarin
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,692
-10.8pp
Not stated
+207
+0.8pp
Punjabi
+590
+2.8pp
Karen
+596
+2.9pp
Hindi
+134
+0.6pp
Telugu
+282
+1.3pp
Urdu
+142
+0.6pp
Tamil
+84
+0.4pp
Bengali
+44
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+41
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Wyndham Vale. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wyndham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wyndham (C)% | Count | % | Wyndham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 11,189 | 54.5% | 44.0% | 12,881 | 65.3% | 53.1% | -1,692 | -10.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,274 | 6.2% | 6.2% | 1,067 | 5.4% | 5.8% | +207 | +0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 1,210 | 5.9% | 7.1% | 620 | 3.1% | 3.6% | +590 | +2.8pp |
| Karen | 941 | 4.6% | 1.0% | 345 | 1.7% | 1.1% | +596 | +2.9pp |
| Hindi | 674 | 3.3% | 4.8% | 540 | 2.7% | 3.5% | +134 | +0.6pp |
| Telugu | 540 | 2.6% | 2.5% | 258 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +282 | +1.3pp |
| Urdu | 312 | 1.5% | 2.9% | 170 | 0.9% | 1.7% | +142 | +0.6pp |
| Tamil | 259 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 175 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +84 | +0.4pp |
| Bengali | 241 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 197 | 1.0% | 1.1% | +44 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 212 | 1.0% | 3.6% | 171 | 0.9% | 3.4% | +41 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 20,518 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,738 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +780 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.